Arsenal’s grip on the Premier League summit may have been loosened only briefly, but the response was immediate and measured. A composed win over Everton restored the Gunners to first place, underlining a sense of control that has characterised their campaign.
For Bukayo Saka, the message is simple: keep winning, block out the noise, and the table will take care of itself despite the Man City threat.
The weekend had provided a reminder of the margins at the top. Manchester City’s routine victory over West Ham earlier in the day nudged Arsenal off the summit for a few hours, ending a run that had stretched back to October.
Yet Mikel Arteta’s side did not blink. Viktor Gyokeres converted a first-half penalty and Arsenal reclaimed top spot, ensuring they will sit at the league’s summit on Christmas Day, two points clear of the Sky Blues.
The title race has been framed for months as a duel between a young, hungry Arsenal and a City machine built to finish seasons with ruthless efficiency.
City have form in this department, reeling Arsenal in last term after months of pursuit. But Saka insists the emotional swings that accompany such battles are being deliberately kept at arm’s length.
“There’s not really any emotion in it,” he told Sky Sports.
“We take the emotion out. We know we’re focused on our job this week. We know we are focused on winning here.
“We’re back on the top of the table but we’re not watching City too much. We know if we win every week, we stay there.”
Those words capture a broader shift at Arsenal. Where previous seasons may have invited anxiety, this one has been built on routine and process.
Arteta’s side have learned to win in different ways, often without spectacle, and to recover swiftly from disruption. The brief displacement at the top was treated as information, not a provocation.
Arsenal’s performance against Everton reflected that mindset. There was no frantic chase to reassert dominance, just a steady accumulation of pressure and control.
The penalty, calmly dispatched by Gyokeres, arrived as a reward for territorial dominance rather than desperation. Defensively, Arsenal looked secure, limiting Everton’s opportunities and managing the game with maturity.
Manchester City’s challenge and the lessons of the past
If Arsenal are determined to look inward, they are also fully aware of the Man City threat. Pep Guardiola’s side have turned late surges into an art form, and their victory over West Ham was another demonstration of their capacity to deliver under pressure.
Erling Haaland once again proved decisive, scoring twice and providing an assist in a performance that reinforced City’s attacking power.
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City’s history in title races casts a long shadow. They denied Arsenal the championship two seasons ago, capitalising on any slip with clinical precision. That precedent has fuelled speculation that the pattern could repeat itself, particularly given City’s experience and depth.
Yet Arsenal’s response this season suggests a different narrative. Rather than framing City as an obstacle to be feared, they are treated as a constant.
Saka’s comments underline a refusal to personalise the race or allow it to become emotional. The emphasis is on execution, not comparison.
City, meanwhile, remain a formidable presence. Haaland’s scoring, the midfield control, and Guardiola’s tactical adaptability ensure they will apply pressure for as long as the race allows. Arsenal’s two-point lead at Christmas is slender, offering encouragement rather than comfort.